Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Filipino people to continue standing up against the oppressive and crooked policies of the present administration that continue to undermine the country's democracy and disrespect our basic rights.

De Lima, who made the statement in commemoration of this year's National Heroes Day last Aug. 27, said Filipinos should strive to be heroes by protecting the country and their fellow Filipinos from an extremist leader in their own little ways.

Under the Duterte Regime - whose rise to power becomes reminiscent of the fascist dictatorship - more than 23,000 people, including children and minors, have been killed either through vigilante-style executions or "legitimized" police operations.

Aside from recognizing the Philippine national heroes, De Lima also paid tribute to the so-called modern heroes in her statement- including the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who work hard abroad to provide for their families in the Philippines and soldiers who risk their own safety to protect their countrymen, among others.

Celebrated as early as 1931, the National Heroes Day in the Philippines is observed every 4th Monday of August as per Republic Act 9492. This year, it coincided with the 59th birthday of De Lima who has been illegally detained for the past 550 days.